What's the difference between a Medicare broker and a Medicare agent?

Question

Lea Ayres · Accepted Answer

The main difference between a Medicare broker and a Medicare agent is that brokers represent multiple insurance companies and can present a broader range of Medicare plans, while agents typically represent one insurance company and offer a more limited selection of plans.

Answered by Lea Ayres on March 12, 2025

Broker Licensed in PA, CT, MD & 8 other states

Answered by Lea Ayres Medicare Insurance Agent

Norman Smith · Answer

A broker works with several companies to provide options for you.
An agent is an individual who may be captive to 1 company and sell you on their plans.

Charise Karjala · Answer

This answer is provided in a video format. Watch the agent's video response here: https://medicareagentshub.com/questions/whats-the-difference-between-a-medicare-agent-and-a-medicare-broker#charise-karjala

William Lawler · Answer

While an agent may be captive and only represent one health care company, a Medicare broker represents many different health care companies, and therefore, a broker can find you the best plan to fit your needs.

Answered by William Lawler on March 29, 2025

Broker Licensed in MO, FL, IA & 12 other states

Answered by William Lawler Medicare Insurance Agent

Tasha Riggs · Answer

An Agent Typically works FOR the insurance company. A Broker works with more than one. 
As a broker I do contract with all the Medicare plans but some agents may only have some of them companies. You can ask them who they are all contracted with so you feel you are getting a fair understanding of all options not just the ones they represent.

Amy Putrino · Answer

Medicare Agents are capitive agents that work directly for a company/carrier.  They are unable to discuss or comment on the competitors plans.  
Medicare Brokers, like myself, are able to discuss multiple companies/plan options.  You can ask me questions about a few different plans and we can compare your options.  This saves you time and allows you to get your answers without calling multiple companies.

Voss Speros · Answer

This answer is provided in a video format. Watch the agent's video response here: https://medicareagentshub.com/questions/whats-the-difference-between-a-medicare-agent-and-a-medicare-broker#voss-speros

Bryan Smith · Answer

There really isn't difference, the main thing to know is that your Agent/Broker does not work for 1 specific insurance company. That way there is no bias in the plan offerings.

Vincent Esposito · Answer

Medicare brokers usually can show prospects different options.  A insurance company medicare agent will only explain to members the plans that the company sells.

Shawn Brown · Answer

A broker represents multiple and, in some cases, all carriers, while an agent only represents one carrier. A broker is generally only paid commissions by the carrier they assist the client they've enroll in while an agent traditionally is paid a salary plus commissions.

Answered by Shawn Brown on March 27, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL, AL, CO & 7 other states

Answered by Shawn Brown Medicare Insurance Agent

Hope Suhr · Answer

Great question and one that confuses a lot of people, Medicare agents, and Medicare brokers. There’s not a lot of difference between them. There’s a captive agent as well means that they’re working for the insurance company. They get paid by the insurance company, not usually commission, it’s general pay, so when you talk to somebody who is working, Great question—and one that confuses a lot of people: Medicare agent and Medicare brokers.
There’s not a lot of difference between them.
There’s a captive agent, which means they’re working for the insurance company. They get paid by the insurance company, not usually by commission; it’s usually general pay. So, when you talk to somebody who is working for an insurance Medicare company, they’re going to move you into their plan.
A Medicare agent is a licensed professional. They can find a Medicare plan that will best fit you and your needs.
Then there’s a broker. A broker has other agents usually underneath them, or they have a whole line of insurance carriers that they’re appointed with. They can find out your needs and then turn around and put you in the plan that’s going to fit your needs and benefit you.
I’m a Medicare broker. I have a team below me. I work for you, not the insurance company—and that’s a beautiful thing, by the way. That means I have no motive other than to serve you.
And it doesn’t cost you.
That’s the good news for you.

Sarah Rollins · Answer

A broker is contracted with multiple insurance companies, and so has numerous plans to offer with no allegiance to one company or another. An agent is typically contracted with one company. Depending on your plan type, your needs might not match up to certain companies. If you work with an agent with limited plans, you may well end up on a plan that doesn't fit your needs. Working with a broker should give you a larger list of options.

Answered by Sarah Rollins on June 12, 2025

Broker Licensed in CO, AZ, CA, ME, SC & TN

Answered by Sarah Rollins Medicare Insurance Agent

Eli Roque · Answer

A Medicare Broker represents many Medicare Advantage Programs and Medicare Supplement Plans and Medicare Agent represents only one Advantage Plan and Medicare Supplement Plan!!

Bob Greco · Answer

A broker and an agent can do the same things. An agent may be able to offer many companies programs or one companies programs. A broker will generally offer many companies programs and give you the best plan that is available to you.

Answered by Bob Greco on May 31, 2025

Agent Licensed in MO, IA & IL

Answered by Bob Greco Medicare Insurance Agent

John Henley · Answer

Typically, a broker owns a small insurance company that may also produce, and an agent is usually a producer who works for the broker or the brokerage company.

Steven Bleicher · Answer

Easy. A broker, a.k.a., an independent rep is affiliated with various Medicare- compliant insurance companies while an agent “could” be a captive agent who can only offer you the plans of the one firm that she/he works for. It is important to get 2-3 “diagnoses” from various agents or you could miss out on better as well as cheaper premium plans.

Answered by Steven Bleicher on May 2, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Steven Bleicher Medicare Insurance Agent

Michael Pyers · Answer

Agents normally only contract and represent only one carrier.
Brokers handle more plans and give you more options.

Using the Medicare Name is not permitted, especially if you represent yourself as being a representative of Medicare.

Steve Houchens · Answer

An agent typically represents only one company while a broker represents multiple companies giving you a broader range of products to choose from

John L Herman Jr · Answer

A Licensed Agent may work for just ONE INSURANCE CARRIER…perhaps CIGNA, AETNA, HUMANA, CAREFIRST, UNITED HEALTHCARE…and therefore be predisposed to advise you that his or her company has the best Plan for the client.

An Independent Broker is someone who can be “appointed” by all of the Insurance Carriers and therefore be in the best position to advise the client.  An Independent Broker guides the client to the best Plan that fits their budget, their health situation, their risk level, which Doctors the client sees, and even which Pharmacies the client uses.

DeeDee Whitlock · Answer

Medicare Broker sometimes refers to an insurance agent who is licensed with several companies when agents can be only licensed thru just one carrier BUT I am a broker & refer to myself as an agent & broker so that can be the same thing!! BUT we can NOT refer to ourselves as a MEDICARE agent or broker legally, only a Senior Market Specialist or something to that kind of wording. Just know Medicare does not have agents themselves if they EVER say they are with Medicare that is a scam HANG UP!!!

Answered by DeeDee Whitlock on May 27, 2025

Broker Licensed in LA

Answered by DeeDee Whitlock Medicare Insurance Agent

Tammy Stoner · Answer

A Medicare broker is independent and contracted with multiple companies that provide coverage in conjunction with Medicare. For example, Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Supplement plans.

A Medicare agent would work directly for Medicare.

Bill Zeky · Answer

The difference between an agent and a broker has to do with representation. An agent represents a particular company whereas a broker is licensed to sell multiple companies' products within a defined market. We are all licensed agents, but I am a broker.

Answered by Bill Zeky on May 19, 2025

Broker Licensed in PA, AL, CO & 10 other states

Answered by Bill Zeky Medicare Insurance Agent

Elayne Cotton · Answer

A Medicare broker agent will offer multiple carriers (i.e., Humana, Cigna, United Healthcare) whereas a Medicare agent will work for a carrier (i.e., Humana). {The carrier(s) listed above are for example purposes only. There are 100s of medicare carriers.)

Answered by Elayne Cotton on May 27, 2025

Agent Licensed in CO & TX

Answered by Elayne Cotton Medicare Insurance Agent

John Zentner · Answer

A Medicare agent usually will only represent and work with one insurance company or possibly a select few, limiting benefit options. A Medicare broker, on the other hand, works for the consumer, comparing plans from multiple insurance companies to find the best fit for their needs and budget.

Answered by John Zentner on June 2, 2025

Agent Licensed in CA

Answered by John Zentner Medicare Insurance Agent

Jon Maves · Answer

Big difference!  A Medicare agent is someone who typically is tied to one specific insurance company so can only offer plans from that company.  A Medicare broker is someone who is connected with multiple insurance companies and does not have a specific allegiance to one carrier so they can be impartial and offer you the best plan for you as an individual.

I am a broker and I always tell people that everyone is unique and Medicare plans are not a one size fits all.  I often times have a couple that I work with and the husband and wife have different plans with different companies due to health issues, medications, doctors, etc.  

It is important to see all the options to weigh what is the best situation for you as an individual.

Ginger Gibbs · Answer

Mostly they are the same thing - but a Medicare agent typically only represents one or two carriers, when a broker contracts with many more carriers and doesn't work/sell for only one specific carrier.

Answered by Ginger Gibbs on March 31, 2025

Broker Licensed in NV, AZ, CA & 14 other states

Answered by Ginger Gibbs Medicare Insurance Agent

Fred Manas · Answer

A Medicare broker typically represents multiple insurance companies and can sell policies from various providers, offering a wider range of plan options. A Medicare agent, on the other hand, generally represents one insurance company and can only sell policies from that company. 
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Medicare Broker:
Independent:
Brokers work independently and aren't tied to a single insurance company. 
Multiple Providers:
They can sell policies from a variety of insurance companies, allowing them to present a broader range of plans to you. 
Comprehensive Advice:
Their ability to represent multiple companies allows them to provide a more comprehensive understanding of different plan options and their suitability for your specific needs. 
Fee Structure:
Brokers are typically paid by the insurance companies they represent, so there's usually no extra fee or cost for you when enrolling in a plan through a broker. 
Medicare Agent:
Company Affiliated:
Agents generally work for a specific insurance company and can only sell policies from that company. 
Limited Plan Options:
Their ability to offer plan options is limited to the plans offered by their insurance company. 
Specific Expertise:
They may have in-depth knowledge of the plans offered by their specific company but may lack a broader understanding of the overall Medicare market. 
Fee Structure:
Agents are paid commissions by the insurance company for each enrollment, and this is typically factored into your premium.

Steve Brauer · Answer

This answer is provided in a video format. Watch the agent's video response here: https://medicareagentshub.com/questions/whats-the-difference-between-a-medicare-agent-and-a-medicare-broker#steve-brauer

Gary Haft · Answer

A Medicare broker is on who represents several insurance companies that sell Medicare Plans.
A Medicare Agent is someone who works for Medicare directly.

Mel Stevens · Answer

In general, Medicare agents work for just one company like Humana or United Health Care. Medicare brokers work for multiple carriers. Even though large reputable conglomerates like United and Humana have policies that can serve well for many insureds, they don't always have the best benefits for everyone as everybody's needs are different. I believe it's always best practice to review your Medicare options and Benefits with a Medicare broker.

Answered by Mel Stevens on May 12, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Mel Stevens Medicare Insurance Agent

Bob Nunn · Answer

The broker has multiple lines and multiple companies. The agent could be captive or contracted with one company . Always get assistance from a person with multiple lines and can recommend what’s best for you

Answered by Bob Nunn on June 12, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL, AL, AR & 36 other states

Answered by Bob Nunn Medicare Insurance Agent

George Francis · Answer

The biggest difference between a Medicare Broker and a Medicare Agent is that a broker works for the person looking for Medicare coverage and an agent represents one or more insurance companies. 

Brokers and Agents compare Medicare plans to determine which plan best suits and individuals needs, based on price, prescription drug coverage ete.

George 
Medicare Advantage Advisor

Mitchell Nunn · Answer

Typically a broker is an agent that is more independent and represents a large number of companies where as an agent is typically only representing one company.

Phyllis Dixon · Answer

There are two answers to this question: to sum it up, not as much as one might think.
1. Most states don't have official separate licensing called a broker license. A few may.
Listing to the public as broker most of the time doesn't mean an official separate license title different from licensed agent. It's a way to attempt to signal they are contracted to sell products from more than one insurance company. Note: I taught insurance pre-licensing and continuing education for 12 years. 
2. Any licensed insurance professional selling Medicare plans has to follow certain rules. If they are doing marketing for specific Medicare plans they (whether listing as agent or broker) are required to state how many insurance companies they offer and how many total policy options they have in the specific designated marketing area for all the companies represented.